In what might show to be a sequel to a situation that performed out in Queens, an effort to place a Bronx golf course for a New York Metropolis on line casino license could possibly be stymied by an absence of political assist to alter the course’s parkland designation.
Bally’s Golf Hyperlinks at Ferry Level within the Bronx, NY. Policymakers representing the realm aren’t actively pursuing laws to change the parkland designation, which might hinder on line casino plans. (Picture: Golf Digest)
Final 12 months, Bally’s acquired the lease rights to the golf course previously often called Trump Golf Hyperlinks at Ferry Level within the Bronx with hopes of bringing a on line casino lodge to the positioning. As a result of the property in query is at the moment designated as parkland, that classification should be eliminated by way of laws — one thing that seems more and more unlikely to occur over the close to time period.
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-The Bronx) represents the district that features Ferry Level and he mentioned he’s not proposing a invoice to take away the parkland designation.
I’m definitely listening to the ideas and considerations of my constituents earlier than making a choice right here to assist or oppose this proposal,” Benedetto mentioned in a written assertion to The Metropolis. “I’ve not launched any laws to alienate parkland.”
Hoping to jumpstart the parkland alienation dialog, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) on Tuesday launched a invoice that requires “parkland in Ferry Level Park” to be altered to make use of for a “gaming facility.” If that laws is signed into legislation, Bally’s would have 15 years to construct a on line casino lodge on the Bronx land and, if that doesn’t occur, the parkland classification could be restored.
Bronx On line casino Effort Might Go Means of Queens Bid
Parkland designation legal guidelines in New York signify excessive boundaries to entry for gaming firms, and with that think about thoughts, Bally’s Bronx efforts might tackle an analogous look to what just lately occurred in Queens.
Earlier this week, State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) mentioned she received’t assist parkland alienation laws for Willets Level, basically placing a plan by New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen and Onerous Rock Worldwide to carry a on line casino lodge to the borough on life assist. With out legislative assist to take away parkland classifications, builders and gaming firms would possible be prohibited from bidding for the three downstate on line casino licenses.
Ought to assist for parkland alienation at Ferry Level be denied, Bally’s has some choices, however they aren’t interesting. The regional on line casino operator might discover a method to make use of land at Ferry Level that isn’t topic to the parkland label or it might discover one other web site.
Given the weak point of Bally’s steadiness sheet and its monetary commitments in Chicago, that are removed from being met, some traders have inspired the corporate to scrap its pursuit of a New York license to preserve money.
Time Not on Facet of Bronx On line casino Laws
Along with Benedetto not dashing to introduce a parkland alienation invoice, State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (D) mentioned such laws isn’t on her radar, and that there are increased legislative priorities in the intervening time.
Add to that, except Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) calls a particular session, New York policymakers have till June 6 to introduce new payments, which means time isn’t on the facet of any effort to take away Ferry Level’s parkland classification.
Assuming Bally’s and Cohen/Onerous Rock depart from the downstate on line casino competitors, that may pare the sector to 9 contenders, a number of of which aren’t coping with land use points.
